Martin Scorsese Only Has A "Couple More" Films Left

Martin Scorsese's had a prolific career, giving us nearly two dozen narrative features in the past fifty years — and that's not even counting the various documentaries, shorts, TV episodes, and commercials he's also put out in that time. But now the iconic filmmaker's career may be nearing an end.

Speaking at the Marrakech Film Festival, Scorsese said that he only has a "couple more" movies left in him and that in fact, it's only thanks to his frequent star Leonardo DiCaprio that he's even kept going this long. Read his comments after the jump.

Indeed, he might have run out of steam sooner had it not been for his collaboration with DiCaprio, which started with 2002's Gangs of New York and most recently yielded The Wolf of Wall Street.

[W]e found that he regenerated my enthusiasm for making films. Mainly because, as you get older, it gets physically difficult and also the business especially – the financial issues. You're responsible for a lot of money, if you get it. It's all pressure, but can you do it? His enthusiasm and excitement really kept me going, for another five pictures now.

Interestingly, Scorsese also revealed that some of his recent films were the product of his being "trapped" by circumstances, "whether they were financial, executive situations at studios or physical difficulties." While he didn't mention specific titles, he admitted, "That happened a couple of times in the last 10 years."

Scorsese pointed to the long-gestating Silence as the film he hoped to make next, explaining that it shared themes with some of his earlier works including The Last Temptation of Christ and Kundun. "I'm just obsessed with this search for a spiritual core in life. And I'm sorry to have to talk in that way about these films but that is what they are about," he said.

Of course, it happens all the time that people make noises about retirement and then fail to follow through. But if Scorsese decides to really go ahead with it, no one can say he hasn't earned it. If anyone deserves a comfy retirement, it's the guy who's already given us Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Departed, and so many more American classics.

[Source: The Playlist]